From Struggle to Self-Advocacy: A PMDD Story

June 2, 2026

By Jenna Feeny

When I first learned about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through a Fearless
newsletter article, I completed the ACEs questionnaire and discovered I had a score of
5 out of 10. A score of 4 or higher is considered significant, and research shows that
higher ACE scores are associated with increased risks for a variety of physical and
mental health conditions. For women, those risks can include reproductive health
challenges, pregnancy complications, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
I started my period at age 10 and began seeing a gynecologist by age 12 because of
heavy bleeding, severe cramps, and extreme mood changes. Like many women, I was
prescribed birth control and advised to take ibuprofen. Over the next two decades, my
symptoms worsened. I experienced depression, anxiety, intense mood swings, and
debilitating physical pain. The week before my period often felt like a battle for survival.
For years, I assumed this was normal. My trauma history was never part of the
conversation with healthcare providers, and because similar struggles seemed common
among women in my family, I didn't recognize how much I was suffering. It wasn't until I
learned about ACEs through Fearless and PMDD through Mindspring Mental Health
Alliance that I began to understand the connection between trauma, hormones, and
women's health.

After years of trying less invasive treatments, I made the decision to undergo a total
hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, and bilateral salpingectomy in March, removing
my uterus, cervix, both ovaries, and both fallopian tubes. This surgery eliminated PMDD
altogether. Because I no longer have menstrual cycles, it has also significantly improved
my endometriosis symptoms and reduced the likelihood of further disease progression.
Following surgery, I began hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which keeps my
estrogen levels stable. The results have been life-changing. I had no idea how much
fluctuating hormones affected every aspect of my life—my sleep, mood, energy,
metabolism, and overall wellbeing. For the first time in my life, I feel emotionally stable. I
have never felt better.

This was certainly a more extreme treatment option, and it is not the right choice for
everyone. However, after carefully considering my options and working closely with my
healthcare team, I believe it was the best decision for me. I am deeply grateful to my
doctors for their expertise and support, to my husband for standing beside me through
years of instability and uncertainty, and to my family for giving me the motivation to seek
help and pursue a healthier, fuller life.

While surgery addressed my PMDD, I continue to believe that healing requires a holistic
approach. Therapy, medication, healthy habits, exercise, quality sleep, and strong social
support have all played important roles in my journey. Most importantly, I have learned
that women deserve to be heard when they say something isn't right. 

We need more open conversations about the long-term effects of childhood trauma and
the ways it can influence women physical and mental health. If any part of this story
feels familiar, know that support is available, treatment options exist, and life can get
better. Healing may not look the same for everyone, but it is possible.

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